Multiple effect evaporator and the like



NOV. 28, 1939. w HlNcKLEY I 2,181,731

MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE Filed June 28, 1957 7 ll Sheets-Sheet l 75 79 YU J.

Nov. 28, 1939. w. T. HIN'CKLEY MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE Filed June 28, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheefl 2 w WA? m A O m v1 w m .2 5H, 3 .L b a .9 F

Nov. 28, 1939. w. T. HINCKLEY 2.181.731

MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE Filed June 28, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheafl. 3

Invenror;

MM 11mm Nov. 28, 1939. w. T. HINCKLEY 2.181.

MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE Filed June 28, 1957 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 L] I J Nov. 28, 1939. w, HlNcKLEY 2,181,731

MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE Filed June 28, 1957' 1 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 28, 1939. w HlNcKLEY 2,181,731

MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE F iled June 28, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 Inve nror:

uA WfMA' Nov. 28, 1939. w. T. HINCKLEY .1

MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE I v Filed June 28, 1937 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 'Per'cerrl' Tflcd Solids Y E II J]: I 5 2 E EffecTs Nov. 28, 1939. w. T. HINCKLEY 2181,73!

MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE Filed June 28, 1937 11 sheets-sneer 10 ZIZ/ Inve nfor:

Nov. 28, 1939. w. T. HINCKLEY MULTIPLE EFFECT EVAPORATOR AND THE LIKE ll Sheets-Sheet i1 Filed June 28, 1957 Invenfon:

MN TMMN 7 mm k k Q n 3 3 N3. im Hm H SN g Fi l l N W iL .L L FT MMN Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- William T. Hinckley, Chicago, 111., asslgnor to Whiting Corporation, Harvey, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 28, 1937. Serial No. 150,746 4 Claims. (cl. 159-11) My invention relates to concentrating evaporators. More specifically, it'deals with the liquor and vapor connections in multiple effect evaporators and the methods of operations made pos- 5 sible by such connections.

One purpose of my invention is to make it possible to use a smaller (and hence cheaper) evaporator for reaching a given concentration. Another purpose of my invention'is to make it possible to reach higher concentrations when evaporating viscous liquor than is ordinarily economically possible. Another purpose of my invention is to diminish difficulties due to foaming on such liquors as tend to foam when first fed 18 to the evaporator. Other purposes and advantages will appear hereinafter. v

I shall describe my invention particularly in terms of that type of evaporator commonly known as the long-tube vertical evaporator, but I wish 20 it understood that my invention is applicable to any type of evaporator construction except as I may limit its application in the claims. I shall also discuss the application of my invention specifically to the concentration of the waste liquorsproduced in the sulfate or kraft process of manufacturing pulp, which liquors are commonly known as sulfate black liquor. It is to be understood, however, that I am not limiting my invention to such liquors but that it is applicable to so the concentration of any liquor which reaches high viscosity in the finish stage. vSuch liquors usually contain large amounts of organic colloidal material; and I may mention as other liquors of similar class sulfite black liquor, glue,

a5 edible gelatin, blood, and other similar solutions. It is a well known fact that when a solution is concentrated from low concentrations to high ones equal increments of water removal do not produce equal increments of concentration. This 4 means that in a multiple effect evaporator which is fed by either forward or backward feed, a very large change of concentration occurs in that effect in which the liquor is finished. It is also well known that in solutions of the type discussed 45 here, the viscosity rises slowly with increasing concentration in the dilute liquor and very rapidly in concentrated liquors. Further, for any solutionviscosity decreases rapidly with temperature rise. It is also a well established fact that 50 increase in viscosity rapidly decreases the coeflicient of heat transfer in an evaporator.

My invention consists essentially in subdividing the thick liquor effect into two or more bodies or sub-effects operated in parallel as to heating 55 steam and vapor, but in series as to feed.

I wish particularly to distinguish between such a division and the simple addition of another effeet to a multiple eflect evaporator. The number of effects to be used in a given-case is determined by an economic balance between savings 5 due to an increased number of effects and increased costs due to a larger evaporator. The question of using a larger or smaller number of effects is solely a question of steam economy. My invention is not concerned with steam econ- 10 omy in any way, but is concerned solely with capacity and with practical details of operation.

Consider, for instance, a quadruple effect evaporator concentrating sulfate black liquor and fed backward. In this arrangement the most concentrated liquor is in the first effect. When concentrating thru the range of let us say 17% solids for thin liquor, and 57% solids for thickliquor, the concentrations in the various efiects will be approximately as follows: 20

Per cent It will be noticed that there is a very large difference in concentration (and therefore a large difference in viscosity) between the. first effect and the following one. This results in a corresponding decrease in the heat transfer .coefli-- cients. For instance, in one case that has come to my notice in concentrating sulfate black liquor, the second effect operated with a heat transfer coeificient of 550 B. t. u. per square foot per degree Fahrenheit per hour, whereas the first effect operated with a coefilcient of 100 B. t. u. per square foot per degree Fahrenheit per hour. This low coeflicient in the first effect obviously held over the entire first eflfect and correspondingly decreased the capacity of the entire evaporator.

Suppose that this first eflect were divided into two sub-efi'ects through which the liquor flowed in series, but which were in other respects operated in parallel. In one case in the embodying of my invention the distribution of surface between the two sub-efiects was such that the first sub-effect carried the liquor to about 51.5% total solids and the second sub-effect car- 5 ried it from this concentration to 57% total solids. The second effect fed liquor to the first sub-effect at approximately 37% total solids; consequently per 100 lbs. dry solids passing thru the evaporator there were evaporated in the first sub-eflect lbs. of solvent and in the second sub-eil'ect 20 lbs. Thus the second sub-effect is doing only a fraction of the evaporation and therefore may be smaller than the first subeflect. Under these conditions this particular installation had a heat transfer ,coeflicient in the first sub-efiect of 1853. t. u. per square foot per degree Fahrenheit per hour; while the second sub-effect which was carrying the concentration to 57% as before, hada coemcient of approximately B. t. u. per square foot per degree Fahrenheit per hour. Thus it is seen that the average coefiicient for the two bodies of the first eflect is now much higher than when a single first eifect is used and consequently a much smaller heating surface is necessary to accomplish the same evaporation. I

It is obvious that in the practice of my invention I may take advantage of the increased average coeflicient of the first effect in three ways: (a) I may finish the liquor at the same concentration that could be reached in an ordinary multiple efi'ect evaporator with an undivided thick liquor eifect and by virtue of the higher average heat transfer coemcient in the last effect use less heating surface, and therefore have a cheaper evaporator; (b) I may build the evaporator as large as before, and take advantage of the increased average heat transfer coefficient in the thick liquor effect by carrying the liquor to higher concentrations. This is particularly feasible because the decrease in heat transfer coemcient due to the increased concentration now ,falls only on the very small final sub-eflect and is practically unnoticed in the other effects; or (c) I can strike any desired mean between (a) and (b) and thus both have a somewhat smaller evaporator and at the same time going to somewhat higher concentrations.

Many liquors of. the type of sulfate black liquor tend to foam in that effect into which the thin liquor is fed. It is found in practice that after a certain concentration is reached this foaming stops. If the thin liquor can be fed into a body of already partly concentrated liquor, dimculties due to foaming are greatly decreased.

Returning to the typical quadruple eflect evaporator concentrating sulfate black liquor from 17% to 57%, I found inpractice, in one case,-that the liquor leaving the thin liquor effect and going to the third effect was at approximately 18.5% solids while the third eflect carried the concentration to approximately 2l% solids. We find in practice that if thin liquor is fed into a body of liquor at 18.5% solids it still foams. If it is fed into a body of liquor at 21% or higher it does not foam seriously.

This feature of my invention consists in dividing the thin liquor feed so that instead of all going to the fourth effect, part is fed to the fourth effect and part to the third .efiect. In such a case, instead of the customary flow of liquor from the fourth eifect to the third effect, and from the third efiect to the second, I combine the two quantities of liquor withdrawn from the fourth effect and from the third effect and send this combined stream directly to the second effect. The result of this is that both the third and fourth effect contain liquor of the same concentration that would have existed only in the third effect with the ordinary application of backward feeding, and consequently all the thin liquor is fed into a solution suinciently concentrated so that foaming difiiculties are not now serious. It is true that the fourth eflect now termediate effects mixed feed. r

' A further feature of the inventon relates to operates with liquor not at 18.5% 21% solids. This change in concentration, however, is not suflicient to appreciably increase the viscosity and consequently the heat transfer coefficient in the fourth efiect is not appreciably decreased by this slight increase in concentration.

Altho I have described my invention in terms of an evaporator operated with backward feed (i. e., fed so that the most concentrated liquor is in the first effect) I do not wish to limit my invention in its broader aspects to multiple eflect evaporators that are fed backward. In the case of evaporators fed forward (1. e., with the most concentrated liquor in the last effect) similar ad vantages will be obtained by subdividing the last effectinto two or more bodies or sub-effects. The same is true for cases of a mixed feed. I wish to emphasize the fact that my invention concerns the sub-dividing ofthe thick liquor effect into two or more sub-effects irrespective of the method solids but at confined to evaporators operated .with backwardfeed. The same advantages are obtained by feed ing the first two or more liquor effects in parallel, whether these be the lasttwo or more effects of the evaporator as would be the case when backward feed is used; the first two or more ef fects of an evaporator as would be the case when forward feed was used, or some two or more inas would be the case with the provision of an arrangement whereby any givenefiect or sub-effect may. be temporarily out out or isolated from the system for purpose of replacement or repair without interrupting the continuous operation of the system; and especially to make provision for this desirable result in the thick liquor efiect of the series other sub-effect, but at somewhat reduced capacity, in other words with a somewhat reduced;

rate of liquor fiow throughout the systemJIn other words when making repairs onthe tubes orother parts of either sub-efiect of the thick W liquor effect the system may nevertheless continue to function during such intervals,- butat reduced capacity, but making it possible to maintain the continuity of operation during such intervals. This is a veryhighlydesirable result in the operation of plants of this type. It may also be stated that in some .cases this feature of the invention may also be applicable to the cutting out of other bodies or effects of the system from time'to time when necessary in order to maintain the continuity of plant operation during the repair or replacement of tubes in any given effect of the series.

Other objects and uses of the invention will appear from a detailed description of the same, which consists .in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of a portion of a typical "backward flow installation embodying the features of the present invention, illustrating the sub-bodies or sub-units of the first effect, which in the arrangement illustrated includes three sub-bodies, two of which are longtube vertical evaporators, and the third sub-unit of which is a forced feed evaporator;

Figure 2 shows a front elevation of the second and third effects of the typical installation aforesaid, embodying the features of the present invention, being a continuation of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a front elevation of the fourth and fifth effects of the typical installation of Figures 1 and 2, being a continuation of Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a top plan view corresponding to Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a bottom piping diagram corresponding to Figures 1 and 4;

Figure 6 shows a top plan view corresponding to Figure 2;

Figure 7 shows a bottom piping diagram corresponding to Figures 2 and 6;

Figure 8 shows a top plan view corresponding to Figure 3; t

Figure 9 shows a bottom piping diagram corresponding to Figures 3 and 8;

Figure 10 shows a typical flow sheet corresponding to the installation shown in Figures 1 to 9 inclusive;

Figure 11 shows a step diagram of the various effects showing more or less typically the manner in which the incoming liquor is progressively concentrated as it flows backwardly thru the various effects to the point of discharge;

Figure 12 shows a typical flow sheet of another embodiment of my invention in which the first effect is divided into two sub-effects through which the liquor fiows in series for the final liquor concentration, the vapor head of one sub-effect delivering steam to the third effect, and the vapor head of the other sub-effect delivering steam to the second efiect;

Figure 13 shows a typical flow sheet of a forward liquor flow embodiment of my invention with divided thick liquor effect;

Figure 14 shows a typical flow sheet of a mixed liquor flow embodiment of my invention with divided thick liquor effect; and

'Figure 15 shows a detail showing of certain parts for control of liquor flow adjacent to the first effect.

The typical detailed installation herein illustrated is one in which use is made of a series of long-tube vertical evaporators of a type which are well known and understood in this art. Each of these evaporators includes a heating unit having bottom and top tube sheets between which there extends a bundle of heating tubes through which the liquor fiows upwardly, and during this operation the tubes are subjected to the heating action of steam or other heating medium in contact with their external surfaces. This heating steam is introduced into the upper portion of each evaporator from what may be called a steam chest and fiows downwardly around the outside surfaces of the tubes to the lower ends thereof, and the condensation collects adjacent to the lower tube sheet and may be removed through a suitable condensation take-off connection.

Each evaporator also includes a vapor head which receives the upper portion of the heating unit and into which the tubes discharge the upfiowing liquor and the vapor evaporated from such liquor during the rise of the liquor up thru the tubes. Within such vapor heads the vaporized material and the unvaporized liquor are primarily separated, the liquor collecting in the lower portion of the vapor head from which it maybe removed in any suitable manner. The vapor from the vapor head is delivered either to thesteam chest of the next succeeding unit or effect of the series or to some other suitable point of disposition, such as the condenser.

The arrangement illustrated is a five efiect arrangement of the backward fiow type.

, In this particular arrangement the fifth, fourth, third and secondeifects are designated by the numerals 25, 26, 21 and 28 respectively. The first effect, being in this instance the thick liquor effect, is subdivided into the two sub-eh fects, 29 and 30 respectively of the long-tube vertical type; besides which the particular arrangement illustrated includes a third sub-effect. being shown at 3|, and being in this instance a forced feed evaporator for reasons which will be hereinafter explained more in detail.

As already mentioned each of the effects 25, 26, 21, 28, 29 and 30 includes the heating unit 3la together with the vapor head 32.

In the particular hook-up or systemillustrated in these drawings the thin liquor is supplied by pipe 33 into the lower end of the fifth effect 25, and also through the connection 34 into the lower end of the fourth effect 26 in parallel therewith, so that the infiowing thin liquor enters both the fifth and fourth effects simultaneously and flows up through both of them in parallel. The treated liquor from the vapor head 32 of the fifth effect 25 fiows down thru the connection 35 to the centrifugal pump 36, driven by the motor 31, and from said pump said liquor fiows across thru a manifold connection 38. Likewise the liquor concentrated in the fourth effect 26 flows down through the downpipe 39, to the centrifugal pump driven by the motor 4 I, and is delivered from said pump thru the connection 42 to the same manifold pipe 38. Thus the liquor from both of the fifth and fourth effects, 25 and 26, is delivered into the common connection 43, through which it is delivered into the intake connection 44 for the third effect 21.

The liquor from the vapor head 32 of the third effect 21 is delivered thru the downcomer 45 to the pump 46 driven by the motor 41, and from said pump 46 said liquor is fed across connection 48 to the liquor inlet 49 of the second effect 28. The liquor from the vapor head 32 of the second effect 28 is delivered through the downcomer 50 to the pump 5| driven by the motor 52, and from said pump 5| said liquor is fed across connection 53 to the liquor inlet 54 of the sub-efiect l-C of the first effect 29. From the vapor head 32 of said sub-effect l-C the liquor is delivered down through the downcomer 55 to the pump 53 driven by the motor 51, and from said pump 56 the liquor is fed across the connection 58 to the liquor inlet 59 of the sub-effect I--B, of the first efiect, designated 30. From the vapor head 32 of the subeffect I--B, the liquor is delivered through the downcomer 60 to the pump 6| driven by the motor 62; and from said pump 6| said liquor is fed by the cross connection 63, either to a suitable point of discharge or to a further concentration in, the sub-effect IA, of the first effect.

designated 3!.. u I

When the liquor is to he finally concentrated to a high degree so that it is desirable to use a "g forced feed concentrator as shownin the drawof liquor lugs-use maybe made of this sub-efiect IA, designated 3]. The sameis aforced feed concentrator making use of a motor drive-pump for recirculating the liquor through the concentra- "1 tor; and the incoming liquor is deliveredzin continuous fashion into the recirculating stream,

same ra In the arrangement illustrated-this forced feed concentrator 3i includes the centrifugal pump 64 driven by the motor 65. The down connections 06 and 61 take liquor from the lower porst tion of the vapor head 60 of the concentrator,

deliver the same to the pump 64, and from said pump the liquor is returned through the riser 69 to the tubes of the heating unit I0, rising through said tubes and being delivered at their upper ends again'into the centralzportion of the vapor head 68. Thus the function of the pump 64 is merely to recirculate a considerable volume of liquor through the system and thus subject the liquor to'a repeated process of heatg ing and concentration. The delivery connection II from the lower portion of the vapor head 68 leads thru the connection I2 to a suitable controller valve lever I3 for automatically maintaining the level of the liquor in the vapor head 68 at the desired level under control of a float within the chamber I4. The construction and operation of this automatic regulator is well understood in the art and it is not deemed necessary to describe the same at this point in detail. However, I will state that the float chamber 14 is connected by the upper and lower lines "a and Nb with the vapor head, so that the liquor stands in said float chamber at the same level as in the vapor head; and a float within the chamber I4 operates a lever 74c connected to the controller lever I3 of the valve in the line I2, by the link 14d so that said valve is opened and closed according to the changing liquid level conditions in the vapor head. It will be suflicient to say that as the level of the liquor within the tank 68 rises the float within the chamber I4 serves to open the discharge valve I3 to a greater extent thus allowing a larger volume of liquor to be discharged so as to hold down the level. Conversely if the level should fall excessively the float within the chamber I4 will lower and cause the valve I3 to be closed somewhat thus permitting the level of the liquor to build up again to the desired point.

The liquor discharged past the connection I2 and valve I3 moves by the connection I5 to a flash tank I6, where vapor is flashed due to lowering of pressure, and from the flash tankthe liquor flows by the connection II to the pump I8 having the shaft 19 driven by a motor, not shown. From this pump the liquor is finally discharged through the connection 80 to a point of final disposition. The connection I5 has the cut-out valves 8| and 82 in advance of, and behind, the controller valve I3, respectively.

is-being continuously withdrawn at the There is a bypass connectioii' 83 around the controller valve I3, said by-pass connection having the valve 84, so that the system can be operated either with the controller valve in automatic service, or cut out of service. There is also a by-pass connectionth between the connection 7.5 in advance of the valve 82,, and the connection 11, beyond the flash tank, and provided with a valve 86, the connection 11 provided'with af'valve '01 above-the connection- 05, and anotherconnection 88' between the iconnection I5 and the connection 'I'I below the valve:

81, and provided with a valve 09.

scheme the system can be operated either with or without the flash tank and either with or without'the controller valve. The flash tank may be connected by the connection. 89a to a sub- With sequent vapor head 32 at sufiicient low pressure. I It may be noted that in the layout illustrated,

- there are provided by-pass connections between the liquor intake and liquor delivery connections for each of the 'efiects or sub-efiects, which bypasses are suitably valved, so that if desired any particular effect or sub-efiect may be by-p'assed.

These are the cross connections 90 between the liquor inlet 33 and the downcomer 35 of the fifth efiect, the same being provided with a valve 9|; the cross connection 92 between the liquor inlet connection 34 and the downcomer 39 of the fourth effect, the same being provided with the valve 93; the cross connection 94 between the liquor inlet 44 and the downcomer 45 of the third effect, the same being provided with the valve 95; the cross connection 96 between the liquor inlet 49 and the downcomer 50 of the secondv effect, the same being provided with a valve 91; the cross connection 98 between the liquor inlet 54 and the downcomer 55 of the I6 sub-effect, the same being provided witha valve 99; and the cross connection I00 between the liquor inlet 59 and the downcomer 60 ofthe IB sub-efiect, the same being provided with a valve I0l.

Live steam is supplied through the connect-- tions 90a and 91a in parallel to theJ-B and IC sub-effects, being the sub-efiects designated 30 and 29 respectively, of the first steam efiect, or of the final liquor effect, whichlive steam serves to heat said sub-effects. Likewise, when a forced feed concentrator sub-efiect IA being designated 3| is used, live steam is supplied, through the connection 98a thereto. Inasmuch as the condensate from the sub-effects IA, IB and I -C is condensation from live steam, it may be trapped and returned to the boiler if desired. Thus, there are shown for example the condensate connections 99a, M012, and I 0Ia for condensation from the live steam of these IA,

IB and I--C sub-effects.

The vapor from the vapor head 3| of the forced feed concentrator, and from the vapor heads 32 of the IB and I--C sub-efiects, is all collected in a manifold connection I02 and delivered into a catchall I03. Any liquor separated in this catchall I03 can be delivered through the connection I04 to any desired point as, for example, to the downcomer 55 of the sub-efiect IC, being designated 29.

The vapor from the catchall I03 is delivered through'the connection I05 to the steam chest of the second eflect designated 28 and serves to heat the same. The vapor from the vapor head 32 of the second effect 28 is "delivered through the connection I06 to the catchall I01, and from said catchall the separated liquor may be deable point as, for example, the downcomer 45 of said third efl'ect 21.

The vapor from the catchall III is delivered thru the connection I I3 to the heating unit of the fourth effect 26. The vapor from the vapor head 32 of the fourth effect 26 is delivered thru a connection II4 to a catchall H5; and the liquor trapped in said catchall II5 may be delivered thru a suitable connection II6 to any suitable point as, for example, to the downcomer 39 of the fourth effect 26. g

The vapor from the catchall H5 is delivered thru the connection I I1 to the heating unit of the flfth effect and the vapor from the vapor head 32 of said fifth effect 25 is delivered thru the connection II8, to the catchall II9. Liquor separated in the catchall H9 is delivered to the connection I20 to a suitable point as; for example,

to the downcomer of the fifth effect 25. The

vapor from the catchall H9 is delivered through a connection I2I to a suitable condenser I22 which may be of any suitable construction as, for example, of the ejector type.

A connection I23 from the condenser I22 leads to the hot well or any other point of discharge.

The condensation connection I24 from the heating unit of the second effect is carried down thru a downcomer I25 to-the position of a control valve I26 located near the floor level, and controlled by an automatic governor I21, preferably of the float type. From this governor control valve I26, there extends a riser pipe I20 reaching up to the position of a flash tank I29,

wherein any vapor may be flashed and taken off through the connection I30 and delivered to the heating unit of the next effect; and the condensation from the flash tank I29 is carried down through the downcomer I3I to a position close to the floor level. The connection I3I is provided with a float control, or automatically regulated valve I32 having the float control I33, and being located near the floor level.

The condensation from the heating unit of the third effect 21 is delivered by a connection I34 downwardly to join the connection I3I at floor level in advance of the regulating valve I32, so that said regulating valve controls the condensation from both of the second and third efiects.

From the regulating valve I 32 there extends the riser pipe I35 to the flash tank I36; which flash tank is provided with a vapor connection I31, which may connect to the heating unit of the next effect, and also with the downcomer pipe I38 leading to a point close to floor level. The condensation from the heating unit of the fourth effect 26 is delivered by the connection I39 downwardly to join the connection I38 at a point close to floor level and in advance of the automatic regulating valve I40 which may be of the automatic type and controlled by the float chamber From the regulating valve I40 the riser pipe I42 extends upwardly to the flash tank I43; and said flash tank I43 is providedwith a vapor connection I44 which may connect to the heating unit of the next effect and with the downcomer pipe I45 through which condensation is delivered to a point close to floor level. The condensation from the heating unit of the fifth effect 25 tie-- livered thru the connection I46 downwardly joins the connection I43 at floor level, and the flnal condensation pipe I41 is then carried over to a hydrostatic pressure created on each automatic regulating valve is correspondingly increased. Such being the case the tendency of such liquid to flash at the position of the valve is reduced and therefore the capacitly of said automatic regulating valves may be reduced to substantially the amount necessary to handle the liquid without vapor, being therefore of smaller size than would be necessary in case of flashing at the valve. In other words by locating the flash tanks at a substantial elevation above the location of the automatic regulating valves I make it possible to reduce the size of said valves since they do not need to handle flash. Also the successive flash tanks I29, I36 and I43 may be located at successively lower levels corresponding to the reduced vapor pressure at which they operate.

It is noted that the flash tanks I29, I36 and I43 are located at progressively lower levels so that the bottom delivery connection from each of the tanks I29 and I35 is at a level at least as great as the inlet into the next succeeding flash tank in the direction of condensate flow. This is done for the following reason: In case the pressure differentials between successive evaporators should be unusually small (as when starting up) the resulting pressure differential available to move the condensate from one flash tank, through the piping and automatic control valve would be small, and if the flash tanks should all be placed at the same elevation, the level of condensate would build up in one or more of the flash tanks to a point where the inlet connection would be submerged, with resulting production of severe water hammer and vibration of piping, etc. This danger is eliminated, even in the case of unusually small pressure diiferentials by placing the flash tanks at the progressively lower levels as shown.

It is to be noted that since each of the subeffects-I-A, I-B and I-C is fed with live steam it is possible to cut off the operation of any one thereof insofar as the steam end is concerned, by merely shutting off the steam supplied to such sub-effect as may be desired. Thus, for example, the sub-effect I-C may be cut out by merely shutting oil the steam supply delivered to the connection 91a. Likewise the flow of liquor thru said sub-effect may be cut out by opening the valve 99 and thus short-circuiting the heating unit of said sub-effect, permitting the liquor to flow directly from the inlet connection 54 to the lower end of the downcomer 55 and thence directly to the pump 56 by which the liquor is then transferred through the connection 53 to the inlet connection 59 of the sub-effect I-B, designated 30. 'It'thus'appears that in case of necessity for replacement or repair of tubes or otherwise in any particular sub-effect, the liquor flow therethrough and also the steam applied thereto can be cut out without'difliculty; and at such time the continuous operation of the system may be maintained, but with a somewhat reduced benefit in the concentration of the liquor at that point.

It is to be noted that I have provided blankedofl. connections I49, I50, HI and In in the vapor connections I05, I09, H3 and III respectively, and also the final blanked-ofl connection I53, in the final vapor connection lIl. It is also to be ]5 noted that in the vapor connections I05, I88, H3

and III leading from the catchalls to the next successive heating units, there are located the extra flanges I54, I55, I 56, and I51 respectively.

Likewise in the connections I06, 0 and I .20 leading from the successive vapor heads 82, there are placed the extra flange connections I 58, I59

and I60 respectively.

By placing in the proper ones of said flanged connections blank discs, i. e. unperforated discs, and by placing temporary cross connections between the connections I49, I50, I5I, I52 and IE3, it is possible to cutout the steam and vapor flow for anyparticular effect from which the liquor fiow has been temporarily out off, so that the vapor will be directly transferred past such eifect to the next succeeding effect during the interval that the tubes are being replaced or repaired, as already referred to.

It will now be apparent that with the arrangea5 ment so far described the liquor flows in a backwardly direction in comparison to the steam or vapor flow, and that the liquor is introduced into the last two effects, being the thin liquor effect, in parallel although the steam or vapor in said effect passes through them in series. It will also be apparent that the liquor flows from these two efiects in series through all of the other eifects and sub-efiects clear through to the point of discharge; and that notwithstanding this circumstance, the sub-eilects of the first eifect are all provided with live steam in parallel with each other and that the vapor from all of said subeffects of the first eifect is collected in parallel and then delivered to the second eflect of the series.

Under these conditions it will be evident that the freshly introduced thin liquor 'enters the fourth and fifth efiects in parallel and is subjected to a sharp increase of concentration in these two effects, and is then delivered to the third efiect at that considerably increased concentration; and due to this circumstance the tendency of the liquor 'to foam when so introduced at low concentration is greatly reduced or entirely eliminated, notwithstanding the fact that the vapor heads of the last or fourth and fifth effects operate at a very low pressure. This is a very desirable result particularly in the concentration or treatment of such liquors as black liquor which are usually delivered to the system initially at a low concentration.

It is also evident that, for the reasons already set forth, it is possible to use sub-eifects for the first effect, herein designated IB and I.C, or 30 and 29 respectively, of relatively small size, since the concentration of the liquor in the effect IC, designated 29, is still lowenough so that the operation of this unit may be very efliciently performed with a high coemci'e'nt of heat transfer, leaving the final concentration of only a small percent total solids to be performed inthe eifect IB, designated 30 (except in.those cases in which itis also'desired to make use of a forced feed concentrator herein designated IA o'r 3|). In other words-the sub-division of the first effect into two or more smaller sub-effects thru which the liquor is passed in series, and

both of which sub-effects are heated by steam in parallel, the vapor heads of'both sub-effects also being connected in parallel, makes possible the use of a combination of sub-effects of much smaller total capacity and square footage than would otherwise be necessary for a single effect to handle the necessary volume of liquor and carry the concentration between the limits desired for both of these-sub-eflects. Figure 10 shows the layout of Figures 1-9, inclusive in diagrammatic form, and in view of the detailed description heretofore given it is not believed necessary to make further detailed description of Figure 10, on which the reference numerals are the same as in Figures 1-9.

This feature may be better understood and its significance appreciated by reference to the step diagram of Figure 11. In that diagram the flow of liquor is toward the right as shown by the arrow I6I, the flow of vapor being toward the left as shown by the arrow I62. Concentrations are shown by the vertical ordinates in the diagram. In the illustration shown in this figure it will be noted that theliquor enters the two final efiects, four and five, at the low concentration of seventeen percent total solids and its concentration is raised to substantially twenty-three percent total solids in those two efiects. In thenext'or third eifect, the concentration is stepped up from twenty-three to thirty-five percent total solids:

and in the next or second effect the concentration is stepped up from thirty-five to forty-seven percent total solids.

The liquor enters the su'b-eflect IC at a concentration of forty-seven percent total solids and is stepped up to fifty-one percent total solids, an increase of four percent. In the next sub-efiect IB the liquor enters at fifty-one percent total solids and is stepped up toxfifty-three and onehalf percent total solids, an increase of only one and one-half percent. The essential point noted here is that the concentration of the liquor effected in sub-effect IC is much greater than that eflected in the sub-eiiect IB for the reasons already set forth.

In the illustration assumed in this diagram the liquor from the sub-effect IB is passed to the sub-effect IA which is the forced feed concen trator at a concentration of fifty-three and onehalf percent total solids and is raised in the forced feed concentrator up to a percentage of fiftyfive total solids, at which point it is discharged.

The modified arrangement shown in Figure 12 third and fourth'eflects, designated I65,- l66 and I6! respectively. The incoming raw liquor is first preheated and is then passed to the fourth efi'ect. Thedegree of this preheating is such that vapor from the first effect may be used. I have shown the two preheate'rs I68 and I69 which may be used in alternation. These preheaters may be of suitable form such as tubular heat exchangers of either the forward or counter current flow type.- The feed liquor comes in over the line I18 to the manifold connections "I and I12 leading to the two preheaters and valves I13 and I14 control delivery to the preheaters selectively. From the preheaters a manifold connection I16 carries the preheated liquor to the line I18, and the valves I11 and I18 are used in the selective operation of the preheaters. The line I16 leads to the liquor feed connection of the fourth effect; the liquor line I19 leads from the fourth effect back to the liquor inlet connection'of the third effect, being provided with the pump I88; the liquor line I8I leads from the third effect back to the liquor inlet connection of the second effect, being provided with the pump I82; the liquor line I83 leads from the second effect back to the liquor inlet connection of the IB effect, being provided with the pump I84; the liquor line I85 leads from the I--B effect to the settling tank I86, being provided with the pump I81; the overflow from the settling tank I86 fiows by the line I88 to the liquor inlet connection of the IA effect; the liquor line I89 leads from the IA effect to the second settling tank I98, being provided with the pump HM; and the overflow line I98 leads from the second settling tank I98 back to the I--A effect for recirculation of liquor.

are shown as being forced circulation units of well known type.

The final overflow liquor line I93 leads from the settling tank I98 for subsequent disposition of the liquor.

The IA and IB effects are heated by live steam from the line I94 over the lines I95 and I96; the vapor from the vapor head ofthe IA effect is carried by the line I91 to the catchall I98; the vapor from the vapor head of the IB effect is carried by the line I 99 to the steam chest .of the second effect; the vapor from the vapor head of the second effect goes over the line 288 to the catchall I98; the vapor from the catchall I98 goes over the line 28I to the steam chest of the third effect; the vapor from the vapor head of the third effect goes over the line 282 to the steam chest of the fourth effect; and the vapor from the vapor head of the fourth effect goes over the line 283 to the condenser 284.

A branch vapor line 285 leads from the line I99 to the heaters I68 and I69 so that the feed temperature of the liquor is determined by the temperature of the vapor coming from the IB effeet. This temperature is higher than that of the vapor coming from the IA effect, but lower than the live steam temperature, due to the placement of the second effect between the position of the line I99 and the catchall I98.

Thus it is seen that the liquor feed temperature is adjusted to a value between the raw steam temperature and the temperature of vapor com ing from the second effect. Nevertheless the two sub-effects IA and I--B are both heated by live 5 steam of the same temperature and in parallel; but the vapor head of the IB effect will be at a higher pressure/or less vacuum, than the vapor head of the IA effect. Also, the liquortreated in the IB sub-effect is of less concentration than that in the IA sub-effect, so there will naturally be more vapor available from the IB sub-effect than from the IA sub-effect. Thus there is available a surplusage of vapor from the I--B sub-effect, some of which may be used for the operation of the preheaters.

The IA and IB effects i The modified arrangement shown in Figure 13 is or the forward flow type. In this case the first, second and third effects are designated 286, 281 and 288 respectively. The fourth eflect is divided as shown into the sub-effects 4-A and 5 4-B designated 289 and 2I8 respectively. Live steam is supplied to the first effect 286 over the line 2I I; vapor from the first effect flows through the catchall 2I2 to the second effect 281; vapor from the second effect fiows through the catchall 1o 2 I3 to the third effect; and vapor from the third effect fiows through the catchall2I4 to the two sub-effects 4A and 4B in parallel. Vapor from both the 4A and 4-3 sub-effects flows through the catchall 2I5 to a suitable point, such 5 as a condenser.

The incoming thin liquor from the line 2I6 flows through the first effect, then over the line 2I1, through the second effect, then over the line 2I8, through the third effect, than over the no line 2I9, through sub-effect 4A, then over the line 228 through sub-effect 4B to the final or thick liquor line 22I. Liquor collected in the catchalls 2I2, 2I3, 2 and 2I5 may be returned to the connections 2I1, 2I8, 2I9 and 22I over 25 the lines 222, 223, 224 and 225 as shown.

The modified arrangement shown .in Figure 14 is of a mixed fiow type. In this case the third effect is divided into 3A and 3B. The first and second effects are designated as 226 and 221; 30 the 3A and 3B sub-effects are designated as 228 and 229; and the fourth and fifth effects are designated as 238 and 23I. Live steam is supplied to the first efiect 226 by the line 232; vapor from the first effect flows through the 35 catchall 233 to the second effect 221; vapor from the second effect flows through the catchall 234 to the 3A and 3B sub-effects in parallel; vapor from the 3A and 3B sub-effects fiows in parallel through the catchall 235 to the fourth o effect; vapor from the fourth effect fiows through the catchall 236 to the fifth effect; and the vapor from the fifth effect'fiows through the catchall 231 to a suitable condenser or other point of discharge. 5

The incoming liquor fiows first to the fourth effect over the line 238.; from the fourth effect the liquor flows over the line 239 to the fifth efiect; from the fifth effect the liquor flows over the line 248, the pump 24I, to the first effect; go from the first effect the liquor flows over the line 242 to the second effect; from the second effect the liquor fiows over the line 243 to the 3--A sub-effect; from the 3A sub-effect the liquor fiows over the line 244 to the 3B sub-effect; 5 and the thick liquor is finally discharged over the line 245. Liquor collected in the catchalls 233, 234, 235, 236 and 231 may be returned to the connections 242, 243, 245, 239 and 248 over the lines 246, 241, 248, 249 and 258 as shown.

The various fiow sheets herein illustrated are typical only of some embodiments of my invention and are not given in any sense as limitations or as circumscribing the scope of my invention except as may be done in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a multiple effect evaporator for the progressive concentration of liquor, a series of evaporators each including a bundle of tubes, means for introducing liquor: to be treated into 'such 70 tubes, a vapor head in conjunction with said tubes for the reception of liquor of increased concentration and vapor liberated from said liquor, and also including a shell surrounding said bundle of tubes and a connection for the delivery of heat 15 ing medium into said shell at one point and for the removal of condensation from the lower end 01' said shell, a downcomer from the condensation connection of each shell to a point close to the .5 floor level, a valve located substantially at floor level receiving condensate from said downcomer and delivering the same upwardly through a riser pipe. a flash tank at the upper end oi said riser pipe, a downcomer from said flash tank to the m downcomer for condensation from a successive efiect and a connection for the delivery of condensate from the flash tank to the heating connection of a succeeding eflect, substantially as .described. w 45 2. In a multiple efiect evaporator for the progressive concentration of liquor, the combination of the series of effects, each effect comprising a bundle of liquor tubes, means to supply liquor to d tubes, a vapor head in conjunction with said em tubes and adapted to receive liquor of increased concentration together with vapor released from said liquor from tubes, and also including a shell surrounding said tubes, a connection for supply of heating medium into said shell at one point, and a connection for delivering condensate from the lower portion of said shell, together with means for removing condensate from all of the eflects comprising downcomer pipes from the condensate connections of the various eiiects to points close to the floor level, automatic regulator valves at the lower ends of said downcomer pipes, riser pipes from said automatic regulating valves flash tanks at the upper ends of said riser pipes, said flash tanks being located at progressively lower as levels from effect to efiect, downcomer pipes from the flash tanks to the downcomers for condendescribed.

'sation from the successive effects. and vapor con'- Y necticns from the flash tanks to the heating unit connections of successive eflects, substantially as 3. The method of reducing the tendency toward foaming of thin Black Liquor," in the initial concentration thereof in a. multiple efle'ct evaporatonof the long tube vertical type in which liquor flows upwardly through tubes from a low elevation inlet to a higher elevation outlet, which '10 consists in introducing such thin Black Liquor" from a common source simultaneously into a plurality of sub-eflects in parallel independent streams, and subjecting the independent streams oiliquor in said sub-eflects to diflerent temper- "1 atures and to diflerent degrees of vacuum, and in mix ng the treated liquor from both said subeflects after treatment therein for subsequent treatment in said system, substantially as described.

4. The method of reducing the tendency towards'foaming of thin Black Liquors in the initial concentration thereof in a multiple eiiect evaporator of the long tube vertical type in which liquor flows upwardly through tubes from a low 25 elevation inlet to a higher elevation outlet which consists in introducing a plurality of independent streams of such thin Black Liquor simultaneously into a plurality of sub-effects, simultaneously heating the independent streams of liquor subsequent treatment, substantially as described. 3

WILLIAM T. HINCKLEY. 

